A 71-year-old Fairview man said thieves robbed him at his home three times between Jan. 19 and Feb. 20.

Lee Perkins has lived in an apartment on Karluk Street for about one year. He said during the first incident, a man knocked on his door asking for a cigarette. When Perkins turned around, the man hit him in the back of the head, knocking Perkins to the ground. The thief stole cigarettes, prescription medication and cash. Perkins said he eventually managed to get a hold of his gun and shot one of the intruders, who was able to escape.

About three weeks later, one of the men returned.

“They knocked the door [down] completely and it was laying right there on the floor,” Perkins explained inside his small studio apartment.

During the second incident, Perkins said a man had a gun pointed to his head during the entire robbery. He promised to come back before leaving.

“He said, ‘I’ll see you soon,’” Perkins recalled.

Sure enough, that same man returned with an accomplice on Feb. 20, according to Perkins. That time, he had his gun nearby, which he said scared off the robbers.

Perkins said the same man was involved in all three robberies. He described the robber as a Samoan man in his early 20’s who is roughly 5 feet 11 inches tall and weights 250 pounds. He said he has a small, white ponytail, wears a black bandanna and was seen leaving the area in a burgundy Toyota minivan.

Perkins said he is scared and now has a friend staying with him. He also answers the door with his pistol in his hand.

“I’m going to protect what I got if I can, but I really don’t want to kill nobody,” Perkins said.

He believes his age and lack of mobility due to an at-work injury several years ago may have made him a target.

Lt. John McKinnon with the Anchorage Police Department said the cases are not currently being worked, as they are low priority. He explained that is because there is not enough information – such as a more specific suspect description – with which investigators can work.

However, McKinnon said the department will be boosting its patrols in the area of Perkins’ apartment in an effort to deter thieves.

Louise Lindsey, the owner of Perkins’ building, said “nothing like this has happened” at the property before. She said she had to pay for replacing his door, but her legal counsel told her Perkins is ultimately responsible for paying, as insurance will not cover the costs.